About
Our goal is to Inspire interest in biodiversity and passion to protect the earth’s scarce resources.
Upland goose (Chloephaga picta)
Who We Are
Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy is one of the largest collections of waterfowl in North America, providing a home to more than 80 species, totaling more than 400 birds from around the world. Our world renowned breeding facility focuses on maintaining the genetic diversity of rare and endangered species. Ripley is proudly staffed by passionate, innovative aviculturists and educators who use the Conservancy as an education center for the next generation of conservationists.
What We Do
Our goal is to educate visitors of all ages on the importance of wildlife conservation through hands-on experiences with our waterfowl, their habitats, and our conservation programs. We also work tirelessly with like-minded organizations to investigate species’ needs and share our collection to ensure genetic diversity and up-to-date breeding techniques that become best practice throughout the industry.
Team
Tony Crowe
Executive Director
Logan Connor
Director of Aviculture
Breanne Ellis
Assistant Aviculturist
Luis Renteria
Property Staff
Property Manager
Laura Carl
Office Administrator
Join the Team
We are always looking for interns, volunteers and junior aviculturists who are interested in waterfowl and conservation.
Think you might be a fit? Please reach out to start the conversation.
Board of Directors
Rosemary Ripley | Chair and Treasurer
Sylvia Ripley Addison | Secretary
MEMBERS
Barbera Brooks
Amy Buckley
Anthony Champalimaud
Elizabeth Dickey
Ashleigh Fernandez
Steve Gaines
Deirdre Grosscup
Peter Grubstein
Baxter Lanius
Michael McGill
Meg Osius
Robert Schmidt
Amy Senew
Brian Silver
ADVISORY BOARD
George Archibald, Ph.D.
Julie Bailey
Juliet Tammenoms Bakker
Thomas Baptist
Bruce Beehler, Ph.D.
Melissa Brutting
Anthea Disney
Dillon Ripley Lanius
Peter Litwin
Julie Dillon Ripley
Andrew Roraback
T. Dennis Williams
Our Beginnings
Considered to be one of the twentieth century’s outstanding figures in ornithology and wildlife conservation, S. Dillon Ripley began building a collection of waterfowl in Litchfield, Connecticut when he was a teenager in the 1920's.
After earning a PhD in Biology, he became a professor of Ornithology at Yale University and served as Director of Yale's Peabody Museum of Natural History. In 1964, Dillon became the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, leading the Institution through its period of greatest growth and expansion. He reinvigorated the Smithsonian, building numerous new museums including the National Air and Space Museum, the Hirshhorn Museum, the Anacostia Community Museum, the Cooper-Hewitt and the Renwick Gallery, and developing the Smithsonian Magazine.
Over his lifetime, Dillon authored numerous articles, fifteen books, and received honors and awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1985. As an avid aviculturist, Dillon Ripley is credited with being the first person to successfully propagate many threatened and endangered species in captivity, such as the Red-breasted goose, Nene goose, Emperor goose, and Laysan teal.
Dillon and his wife, Mary Livingston Ripley, an entomologist, were partners in most activities and recognized the potential for their waterfowl collection and preserve to become a valuable conservation resource. In 1985, they donated much of their land to a non-profit foundation dedicated to waterfowl conservation, research, and education. Today Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy spans over 200 acres and includes a 16-acre network of fenced aviaries, ponds, and barns. Dillon and Mary's three daughters, in concert with the Ripley Board of Directors, continue to develop and expand their parents' original vision. S. Dillon Ripley’s international conservation work left a legacy in the global effort to preserve biodiversity and protect ecosystems. Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy is proud of that heritage as we continue to protect these endangered birds and their habitats.
Our Future
Come see what we have in store for the next generation.
Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy is still operating on the same property that S. Dillon Ripley began so many years ago. Today, we are a bustling 501(c)3 non-profit who depend on memberships, donations, and visitors to keep S. Dillon Ripley’s dream alive and to ensure these beautiful birds make it to the next generation.